A Marriage in Name Only? My Stepbrother Won't Let Me Go

"Your Highness, the army doctor is here," the trusted aide announced from outside the tent.

"Come in."

A cold male voice drifted out, laced with a casual indifference that made Xue Yunshu’s heart tremble.

She was finally seeing Prince Chen again.

After all this time, heaven only knew how much she missed him.

They were both in the same military camp, but he was the commander, and she was just a lowly army doctor. She couldn’t find any opportunity to see him.

If the enemy’s surprise attack hadn’t caused so many casualties, creating a shortage of medics, she would never have gotten the chance to treat Prince Chen.

’I’m so lucky.’

’Heaven is watching over me, as always!’

Xue Yunshu’s heart swelled with sweetness, and a faint smile touched her lips.

It was the kind of expression one only has when seeing the person they adore.

The tent flap was lifted, and her eyes met the man’s sharp, deep gaze.

Pei Yan was displeased to see Xue Yunshu.

The smile on her face was particularly grating.

’What is she smiling about?’

"You’re the army doctor?"

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but the man’s voice seemed to have grown even colder.

His gaze was like daggers, as if he wanted to skin her alive.

’But I haven’t done anything. Why is he reacting like this?’

In her mind, Prince Chen was supposed to be surprised, then admire her for her courage and sense of duty.

’Why isn’t he the least bit curious? It’s like he doesn’t care about me at all.’

Xue Yunshu instinctively lowered her head, avoiding Pei Yan’s gaze. "I’ve been studying medicine for a long time. When I was little, I learned about herbs from my mother. After I returned to the Duke Mansion, my father sent me to be an apprentice to the Divine Doctor. When I heard war had broken out at the Border, I came here to do my part."

Pei Yan’s gaze grew even colder.

’She’s an army doctor. She’s seen the aftermath of the battle, and she can still manage to smile?’

"Get out."

Xue Yunshu was stunned. ’Why is he telling me to get out again?’

The last time, at that restaurant in the Capital City, he had thrown her out at the slightest provocation.

’Who treats a young lady like this?’

’Besides... didn’t Prince Chen have feelings for me? Didn’t he choose my portrait?’

’Why is he being so harsh to me?’

Xue Yunshu felt incredibly wronged, but this was a rare chance to see Pei Yan. She couldn’t let it slip away.

Fearing she would be dragged away again, Xue Yunshu spoke quickly, "I was just in the camp for the wounded. I heard there’s a traitor in the army. Your Highness, I’m willing to act as bait to help you root them out!"

Had it been anyone else with such courage, Pei Yan would have been impressed.

But he detested Xue Yunshu.

He didn’t need a reason. Her very presence was an eyesore.

"Your Highness, the enemy is constantly looking for your weakness. If we give them what looks like an opening, they’ll surely risk taking the bait. I’m from the Capital City, and I’m the daughter of the Duke Mansion. If word gets out that you and I are close, they will certainly believe it."

Xue Yunshu’s eyes darted as she quickly added, "If you don’t think I’m up to the task, you could have Miss Mei do it. You two are childhood sweethearts, and she’s General Mei’s daughter. With her as bait, the enemy would be even more likely to bite."

"Miss Mei comes from a family of generals. She understands duty better than I do. I’m sure she’d be willing to take this risk for the people of the Border."

Pei Yan’s eyelid twitched. ’Let Mei Wanying take a risk? Am I insane?’

’How incompetent would I have to be to resort to using Mei Wanying, to make her come to the Border and face this pressure and danger?’

’Forget the fact that Mei Wanying isn’t even here. Even if she were, I’d immediately send her back to the Capital City or Jiangnan.’

’This is no place for her.’

’Even if she wanted to stay, I would never allow it.’

’All Mei Wanying needs to do is stay somewhere safe and wait for me to come back to her.’

His fingers tapped on the desktop. As Pei Yan’s expression grew pensive, the air seemed to freeze, and even breathing became difficult for Xue Yunshu.

Her heart quivered. ’A man this powerful should belong to me, Xue Yunshu.’

’A Heavenly Royal and a resilient, unyielding Medical Woman... isn’t that the stuff of romantic tales?’

’The student must surpass the master. My mother succeeded once, so I can’t bring her shame.’ 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

’I am determined to become Princess Consort Chen. No matter how winding the path, I will not give up.’

’Even if he marries someone else, I will keep trying.’

’I’d even be willing to be his concubine!’

’Once I become his woman, Xue Xingyao and her mother will be green with envy.’

’And Mei Wanying... she’ll probably go mad with rage, won’t she?’

’She’s been chasing after him for so many years and has never once managed to move his heart.’

’What a complete waste!’

’All she has is a pretty face. What a waste. If only that beauty were mine...’

As Xue Yunshu was lost in her wild thoughts, she suddenly heard the man say, "If you fail to catch the fish, you will be dealt with according to military law!"

Xue Yunshu panicked. ’I didn’t make any kind of military pledge! What does it have to do with me if the fish isn’t caught?’

’I’m just doing my best. Shouldn’t that be considered a great service in itself?’

’There are no other women in this camp. Even if there were, none of them would have my courage.’

’How can Prince Chen be so... so outrageous!’

Pei Yan’s eyes darkened, his voice filled with authority. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Xue Yunshu forced a smile. "No, I don’t."

The more she smiled, the more he found her presence grating.

"Get out!"

Xue Yunshu grew anxious again. "It’s not that I have any improper intentions, but... if we aren’t seen together, how will the enemy take the bait?"

’We have to appear intimate for the enemy to believe I’m his beloved.’

’This is also a chance for me to cultivate a relationship with him.’

’A bond forged through life and death... if everything goes smoothly, by the time this conflict is over, my place in his heart will surpass everyone else’s!’

Pei Yan remained silent. The trusted aide recognized this as a sign that the prince’s patience was wearing thin.

Bracing himself, the aide spoke up. "Your Highness, your wound needs to be bandaged. With the recent heat, it could fester if not treated properly."

If it festered, the entire piece of dead flesh would have to be cut out. Not only would that be excruciating, but it could also be life-threatening.

It was best to treat it as soon as possible.

Xue Yunshu finally remembered her role. She was an army doctor; she was supposed to be treating Prince Chen’s wound.

She picked up her medical kit to step forward but was frozen in place by Pei Yan’s icy stare.

"Are you disobeying a military order?"

The moment he said this, the trusted aide immediately "escorted" Xue Yunshu out.

Thrown out yet again, Xue Yunshu’s pride was shattered, and she burst into tears with a loud sob.

She covered her face and turned to leave, but the trusted aide called out to her.

"The medicine. Give it to me."

Xue Yunshu cried even more heartbrokenly. ’Are my tears less important than some medicine?’

’For his sake, I traveled a thousand miles to get here and endured countless hardships.’

’Why is he so heartless? Why can’t he see everything I’ve given up for him?’

’I was the one who was chosen in the beginning. How did everything suddenly change?’

’How could I ever accept this!’

The trusted aide re-entered the tent, placed the medicine and bandages on the table, and asked uncertainly, "Shall I bandage it for you?"

Pei Yan didn’t answer. His fingers tapped the desk a few more times before he said, "Fine, give her what she wants. Push her into the spotlight."

He was secretly relieved that Mei Wanying wasn’t here. ’Otherwise, she would definitely misunderstand.’

’She’s already so possessive, she doesn’t even let me glance at other women.’

’If she heard the rumors and then saw my "cooperation," it would be hard for her not to get the wrong idea.’

’When this is all over, regardless of whether she’s heard anything, I have to write her a letter and explain the situation.’

’That way, no one can add their own embellishments to the story and make her angry.’

’Mei Wanying can’t tolerate even a speck of dust in her eye. The two of them could fight all they wanted, but there could never be a third person involved.’

’Otherwise, she would leave me without a second thought!’